An NFL fan-favorite is gone too soon. Baltimore Ravens player Arthur Jones, who was affectionately called “Art,” has unexpectedly died at age 39. A cause of death for the athlete has not yet been determined, but we do know he was living with a heart condition. CBS sports says he had a pacemaker which went off the morning of Friday, October 3, prompting EMS to arrive to his home in Syracuse, New York after the device automatically alerted his doctor.
On the field, Jones was an essential part of the Ravens’ 2013 Super Bowl win against the 49ers. He famously tackled Colin Kaepernick and recovered a fumble during the game. The victory capped off his four-year stint with the team. So why did Arthur Jones leave the Ravens? He was offered a lucrative $33 million 5-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, per Indy Star. He was plagued by an ankle injury in the following years, and left the team after three seasons for the Redskins, where he ended his career on the injured reserve.
GettyRavens Issue Statement on Arthur Jones Death
The Ravens spoke out on the matter, sharing a statement on X which read, “We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing. Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered. His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others.”
The message also called the Rochester native “kind, courteous, and enthusiastic,” before adding that he always displayed “a love for family, teammates, and friends.”
“We send our deepest condolences to the Jones family and all who loved Arthur,” the statement concluded.
Jones had over 60,000 followers on his Instagram account, which is set to private. He is survived by two brothers, Chandler and Jon Jones, who are also athletes. Chandler played for the Patriots, Cardinals, and Raiders, retiring in 2023. Jon is a retired MMA fighter.
Arthur Jones Got Shared His Thoughts Ahead of Super Bowl XLVII
“I’m on Cloud 9 right now. You can’t get on a big stage than this. Sunday night, it’s gonna be straight fireworks and we can’t wait,” the former Syracuse star told a reporter as he prepared for the big game. He went on, “I feel comfortable. If we had to play today, I’d be ready to go. I appreciate everyone back home. We’ve got awesome fans. You guys are the best. I miss you guys.” A teammate then playfully jumped into view to prophetically declare, “We’re number one!”
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